October 23, 2026
A district nurse from the Northern Health and Social Care Trust has been recognised for her compassionate care after receiving a heartfelt tribute from a patient’s family through Care Opinion.
The independent feedback platform has supported service improvement and staff recognition across the Trust for six years since its introduction in 2019.
In the Care Opinion story, District Nurse Emma Griffin from the Newtownabbey team was praised for going above and beyond for her patient, developing a trusting relationship which ensured they felt safe, happy and genuinely cared for.
The feedback highlighted the positive impact Emma’s support had during a very difficult time and recognised the kindness, professionalism and reassurance she provided.
Emma said: “Caring for someone at the end of their life is a privilege that I never take for granted. Receiving such kind words from the family means more to me than I can express. Knowing that I was able to bring comfort, dignity, and support during such a difficult time reminds me why I became a nurse. I will always carry their kindness with me, and I feel truly honoured to have been part of their loved one’s journey.”
Speaking about the impact of the family’s feedback, District Nursing Sister Colette Farmer said: “Receiving such beautiful, heartfelt feedback from a grieving family member has given our community nursing team a wonderful uplift.
“In district nursing we often work quietly in the background, so having a family take the time to share their gratitude during such a tender time means the absolute world to us. It is a powerful reminder of why we do this job, instantly boosting team morale and reinforcing our shared commitment to delivering compassionate and dignified person-centred care when our patients and their loved ones need it most.
“Emma is a wonderful asset to our team and to her patients and their families, and she truly makes a difference to their lives.”
Care Opinion allows patients, families and carers to share stories about their healthcare experiences.
Over the past six years, the Trust has received more than 4200 stories.
The vast majority (82%) were positive, while 18% identified concerns or opportunities for improvement.
The platform has helped the Trust listen to service users, learn from feedback and celebrate outstanding care delivered by staff and teams across hospital and community settings.
Stories such as Emma’s demonstrate the powerful impact patient feedback can have in recognising staff and reinforcing compassionate, person-centred care across the Trust.
Patients, families and carers can share their healthcare experiences at www.careopinion.org.uk, helping the Trust recognise excellent care, learn from feedback and improve services for everyone.